The Manageable Marijuana Debate

In the ongoing debate between what many believe are stoners and squares lies a well-known medicinal plant that has been used for centuries: Marijuana. Some lovingly call it Mary Jane, others call it by its scientific name, cannabis, and still more call it any number of synonyms including hash, buds, grass, reefer, herb, and hemp, among others. Whatever you call it, pot has a huge following on both sides of the debate, and in the medical community in particular, because supporters of legalization and those who are against it have strong opinions.

Pro arguments have included claims like “Our President has admitted using it, so you should be, too” to medical claims that in small doses it may be able to help Alzheimer’s patients and that it is beneficial to cancer patients and treating a whole host of disorders. Anti arguments claim the drug will become more dangerous with today’s youth if legalized and since it seems to not be as healthy as it claims, weed could do more harm than good. Especially with California in the news battling over the little green plants, if you don’t know where you stand, take a look at the growing positives and negatives before making your decision.

The United States actually seems to be behind the curve in this fight. Some countries have already partially legalized it (or certain aspects of using/selling/acquiring it): Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, India (legal because of religious beliefs), Iran, Republic of Macedonia, Mexico, Netherlands, Pakistan, Peru, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Uruguay, and Venezuela. For most of these countries it is still illegal but decriminalized for possession of small amounts or growth under specific terms, and punishment is more lenient in most marijuana cases.

With marijuana being lumped into the decades-long “war on drugs” supporters say marijuana is only as harmful, if not less, than the addictive and currently legal drugs—nicotine and alcohol. With the addition of “medical cannabis” being prescribed in doctors’ offices around the country, pot seems to be a calm-inducing wonder drug that isn’t doing anything but easing people’s pain and making everyone a little happier (and in some cases hungrier). Some supporters argue that while the spread of weed may be large at first, it is no different than other countries practice of lowering the drinking age and the “rebel” appeal will eventually wear off.

On the other side of the coin, marijuana is seen as a gateway drug, leading into harsher illegal substances like cocaine, methamphetamines, or heroin, and the large percentage of teens and young adults who are often experimenting with the drug are at risk for becoming lifelong users, with many fearing that its popularity will spread. Anti-legalization supporters also lean toward the idea that pot is unhealthy for your body when smoked or used often—including high risk for men to develop testicular cancer and it may be harder to get a transplant because of a clinical dependence and body deterioration. Medical marijuana should be used sparingly—an old report done by the National Institute of Drug Abuse says that marijuana contains 50 to 70 percent more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than cigarette or cigar smoke, but studies since have proved mixed results leaving confusion in the medical community.

A recent poll of California residents says that 56 percent of residents would support the legalization, which is exactly what The Control, Regulate and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010 would offer. The act would decriminalize recreational use of pot for adults over the age of 21, up to one ounce, as well as the right to grow 25 square-foot plots on private land as long as it’s not for public sale or distribution.

With local policy-makers and Congress opening up their minds a little bit, Representative Dennis Kucinich said recently in a telephone interview, “We need to come at this from a point of science and research and not from mythologies or fears.” People who are “pro-pot” tend to come from a scientific and economic standpoint urging the government to take note of the billions spent by law enforcement cracking down on marijuana use that can be drastically changed with looser rules. It is estimated that over $7 billion is spent each year by U.S. law enforcement agencies on marijuana alone.

On the flip side, people seem to take an ethical response concerned with the future and what social consequences could result from allowing marijuana to be used recreationally like alcohol at age 21, not to mention questioning the ability to control it among teenagers. One of these concerned citizens, president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Russell Laine says, “We're opposed to legalization or decriminalization of marijuana. We think it's the wrong message to send our youth.”

With 95 million Americans over age 12 having used marijuana at least one time and 14 million having used it within the last month, the National Survey of Drug Use and Health reports that pot is the most used illegal drug in the country. Being a natural health journalist, it is hard to ignore the cultures that have used cannabis as a healing agent for centuries without huge medical, ethical, or criminal repercussions, but in terms of allowing it purely for leisurely use, it may soon be up to you, the voters: to pass or not to pass?